Greg Taylor points to positive of continuity at Cambridge United

Cambridge United back in training at Clare College sports ground, Bentley Rd, Cambridge. Picture: Keith Heppell

Defender sees bond continue from last season

Greg Taylor believes continuity and familiarity could strengthen the bond of the Cambridge United squad.

The 28-year-old defender has been there and seen it all before since signing for the U’s in 2013, and is now in his sixth pre-season with the club.

The difference this time though is the minimal amount of change, with much of the squad the same as that which ended last season so well under Joe Dunne, with only Louis John and Reggie Lambe, who joined last Wednesday, the new arrivals.

“This is my sixth season so we’ve had quite a few new faces on the turnaround of pre-season – we always see six or seven come in,” said Taylor, with the U’s to kick-off their pre-season fixtures at St Neots this Saturday, kick off 12.30pm, followed by a game against Cambridge City at Histon on Tuesday (July 10).

“So this year it’s been quite nice actually maybe only having Tafty [George Taft] coming in on a permanent – which we already knew – and Louis has signed.

“It’s nice to see the old faces back and I think that could be a real positive for us this season.

“We all know each other from last season. We know who can do what, who can’t do what as well, we’re a good bunch and everybody gets along.

“It’s a learning curve when you have new faces coming in because you have to learn about people, you have to make an effort with people, it’s just a general case of bonding whereas we’ve already got that bond from last season.

“It’s not a case of starting from scratch, you know each other.

“It’s good to just come in and see the same faces again and pick up where you left off.”

Taylor was itching to get going again on the return to pre-season training last week, and recreating the vibe and atmosphere that had been built in the run-in last season, when the U’s finished 12th.

“I think towards the end of the six weeks off you have you’re itching to get back and feel a ball. I get a little bit bored sat at home,” he said.

“It’s alright for the first two to three weeks but nobody else is about so you’re itching to get back as you’re doing you’re running at home on your own.

“It’s nice to get back in your groups, do your group running and get that team ethic back.”